Signaling-circuit for railways.



No. 880,770 PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

J. A... WILSON.

SIGNALING 013cm FOR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

m Q N "R" x i I k I, WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTORNEYS in NORRIS PETERS cu. wxsnmnrou, n. c.

K i K W .J. A. WILSON.

SIGNALING CIRCUIT FOR RAILWAYS.

PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

APPLICATION FILED FEB, 10. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY THE uaRRls PETER:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH A. WILSON, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AS SIGNOR TO HALL SIGNAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SIGNALING-CIRCUIT FOR RAILWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 3, 1908.

Application filed February 10. 1902. $erial No. 93.367.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPn A. WrLsoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of l/Vestfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling- Oircuits for Railways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to signaling circuits for railways.

It has for its object to simplify the operation of such circuits and the apparatus used therefor, also to make the same more positive and certain in operation; also to make such apparatus more durable; and also generally to simplify and improve such circuits and the apparatus used therein. I

It consists of the novel devices and combinations herein set forth.

In the drawings accompanying this speci fication and forming a part hereof, I have shown my improvement in its preferred form and as connected with a series of home and distant signals. It is not, however, limited in its application to such signals, and in some of its features is not limited to use with two signals, although in practice, I find it useful in connection with a series of double signals, such as home and distant signals.

Heretofore, where it has been the purpose to control a signal or signals by a reversal of the current, polarized relays or polarized armatures have been employed, as they are affected when the current flows in one direction, and are unaffected when it flows in the other. The use of such relays or armatures, however, is open to some objections, which, at times, are of a serious character. For we ample, under some circumstances, polarized relays and polarized armatures are apt to lose some of their permanent magnetism, thus weakening their operation and rendering it uncertain. Moreover, the operation of such relays and armatures is not always as powerful and positive as could be desired. I have discovered that all of the advantages of the use of such polarized relays and arma tures can be obtained without their disadvantages by the use of the relay which I have invented, and which is provided with two sets of coils adapted to be connected with different circuits, so that by a reversal of the direction of the currents relative to each other the action of the relay can be made much more powerful or much weaker, depending upon whether the two currents flow in the same direction and, therefore, cooperate with each other, or whether they flow in a reverse direction and neutralize each other to a greater or less extent. In operation, my neutralizing relay, as I'call it, is much more positive, powerful and certain than that of a polarized relay or armature.

My relay may be used alone for the purpose of controlling one or two signals, or may be used in conjunction with an ordinary or neutral relay for the same purpose. The latter I have illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, and the former in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, in which I have shown the preferred forms or embodiments of my invention, Fig. 1 represents my improvement in connection with a series of home and distant signals and in connection with a neutral relay. Fig. 2 shows the same combined with a slow acting relay. Fig. 3 illustrates the use of my improved neutralizing relay alone in connection with a series of home and distant signals.

I will first describe my improvement in connection with the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, where my neutralizing relay 1 is employed in connection with a neutral relay 2 and in conjunction with a series of home signals 3 and distant signals 4. 5, 6 and 7 represent the usual blocks of the railroad track insulated from one another in the well known manner. 8- represents a train on block 7.

The neutralizing relay 1 is provided with two sets of coils adapted to be connected with two difierent circuits, one circuit con nected with one set of coils, and the other circuit with the other set of coils, and means are provided for reversing the current of one or the other of these coils so as to cause the currents to flow through the coils in the same direction or in different directions. In the form shown, the neutral relay 2 is connected with a track circuit, of which 9 is the battery. This circuit passes through polechanger 10 of a well known construction ada ted to reverse the direction of the flow of t e current through relay 2, the direction of flow depending upon whether the polechanger 10 is in the position shown at the junction of blocks 6 and 7 or at the junction of blocks 5 and 6.

Preferably, one coil of neutralizing relay 1 is connected with this same track circuit by means of wires 11 on one side and wire 12,

circuit controller 13, contact 14, and wire 15 on the other side, although, if desired, it may be connected with any other suitable source of electricity. As shown, a circuit controller 13 is controlled by neutral relay 2, in a manner presently to be described. The reversal of the current through the different positions assumed by pole-changer 10 will reverse the direction of the flow of the current through the said coil of relay 1. As shown, the otherv coil through relay 1 is connected on one-side by wire 16, circuit controller 17, contact 18', wire19 to battery 20, and on the other side, through wire 21, home signal:3, wire22 and wire 23 with the other side of the battery 20. The flow of current through this coilis always in the same direction. It is immaterial to my invention, however, in which coil the current is subject to reversal, andmy invention so far as this part is involved, is embodied wherever the two coils are so arranged that by any means the currents can be' made to flow inthe same direction at one time, and in reverse directions at. another time.

-Home signal 3 has but one circuit controller, viz.; circuit controller 17, inits circuit, and is controlled by the neutralrelay 2 only. Distant signal 4, however, is con trolled, inthe form shown in Figs. 1 and2,

not only by neutral relay 2 through circuit controller 17, but isalso controlled by new tralizing relay 1 through circuit controller 24. The entire circuit through thedistant signal runs as follows. From one side of battery'20 through wire 19, contact 18, circuitcontroller 17 wire 25, contact 26, circuit controller 24, wire 27, signal 4, wires 28 and 23 back to battery.

The pole-changer may be operated by any suitable means in any suitable way. As-

preferred, and shown, it is operated automatically by the home signal next in advance by means of rod 29 connected to homesignal 3 and arm 30 connected to the pole-changer.

The 0 eration of the device shown in Fig. 1 is as ollows. With'a train on the track, as at Sin block 7, the current of battery 9 is shuntedfrom relays 1 and 2, causing circuit controllers'17 13 and 24 to fall away from their contacts and sending both signals to danger, as-shown in block 7. As home signal 3 moves to its danger position, it throws polechanger 10 to the right, as shown in full lines at: the-junction of blocks 6 and 7, reversing the current through the track circuit,

through relay 2 and one coil of relay 1 of" This reversal has no effect, of-

block 6.

course, upon neutral relay 2, but it causes thecurrent from the track battery to flow through its coil of relay 1 at the-begining of block 6'in a directionopposite to theflow of battery 20 of that block through the other coil of relay 1. This neutralizes, in wholeor in part, the effect upon the relay and destroys or, at least, weakens the magnetism of that relay to such an extent that circuit controller 24 cannot be held against its contact 26 but remains open, as shown. In this position of the parts, circuit controllers 17 and 13are closed and circuit controller 24 is in its open position, and as a result, home signal 3 is in its safety position and distant signal 4 is in its danger position. It will be seen that with this arrangement the home signal 3 next in advance-controls the distant signal'4 ofblock 6.

When home signal 3 at the beginning of block6 moved to its safety position, it threw the pole changer 10 of battery '9 ofblock 5 into its left-hand position, reversing thedirection of the flow of that current through one of the coils of relay 1 of block-5, causing the flow of that current to coincide with the flow ofthe current of battery 20 through the other coil of relay 1. The two currents thus cooperate to increase the magnetization of relay 1 andits effect upon its armature 24;

causing that armature to close against its contact point 26. This closes the last remainingbreak in the circuit of'distant: signal 4 of block 5, causing-that signaltoassume its safety position, as shown.

In Fig. 2, the circuit of the home signal 3 is caused to pass througha circuit controller 31 controlled by a slow acting relay 32 con' structed in theusual manner.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3, the neutralizing'relay 1 is arranged to-control-both signals. For this purpose, it is provided with two different armatures, one ofwhich responds to a less current strength than the other. In the form shown, these two armatures -are repre sented as 33 and 34, 33 responding to a less pull than that of 34. This relative responsiveness can be arranged in any suitable manner, as for example, by using springs of different strengths.

One coil for relay 1 is connected with the track circuit of battery 9 through wires 35 wire 39, around both cores of magnet 1, wire- 40, home signal 3,.wires 41 and 42backto battery. Inthe form shown, the flow of this current is always in the same direction.

The other coil through The circuit through distant signal 4 runs from battery 20 to wires 37, 43, contact 44, circuit controller 34, Wire 45, distant signal 4, wire 46 and wire 42 back to battery.

The home signal 3 and the distant signal 4 are thus controlled by neutralizing relay 1, the first through circuit controller 33 and the second through circuit controller 34.

The 0 eration of the device shown in Fig. 3 is as fo lows. With a train on the track at 8 in block 7, as shown, the current of battery 9 is shunted from relay 1 the current of battery 20 is insufiicient to hold either circuit controller 33 or 34 in position, and the circuit of that battery is broken through both sig nals, and both signals stand in the danger position, as shown. As home signal 3 moves to its danger position, it reverses pole-changer 10 of battery 9 of block 6, reversing the di rection of flow of the current through the coils of relay 1 of block 6, but energizing that magnet and causing armature 33 to close on its front contact point, thus closing the circuit of battery 20 through relay 1. The direction of flow of the current through the two coils of relay 1 is in opposite directions, and in this condition the magnet, while having power to hold circuit controller 33 against its contact 38, has not power to draw relay 34 against its contact point. The circuit through home signal 3 is closed, and that signal moves to its safety position, but the circuit of the distant signal 4 of block 6 is still broken at points 34 and 44, and that signal remains at danger.

IVhen the home signal 3 of block 6 moves to its safety position it reverses the position of pole-changer 10, changing the direction of flow through its corres onding coil of relay 1 of block 5, causing t e flow of the currents from batteries 9 and 20 to be in the same direction and to cooperate with each other. In this position of the parts, magnet 1 closes circuit controller 34 on its front contact 44, closing the circuit through distant signal 4 of block 5, causing it to move to its safety position.

By the means shown in Fig. 3, my improved neutralizing relay is enabled to control two signals. Through the action of the two currents in the coils of relay 1 of my im proved device, viz., through their cooperation at one time and their antagonism at another, a very positive and powerful action of the magnet is obtained, much more powerful andpositive than where polarized relays or armatures are employed. My improved device is also more durable in operation than polarized relays or armatures, as the latter are apt sooner orlater to lose more or less of their permanent magnetism. My improved devices are simple in construction and efficient in operation. Referring to this s ecific form shown in Fig. 2, the circuit t rough one coil of relay 1 runs from the track circuit through wires 15 and 11 in the manner above described. The circuit through the other coil runs from battery 20 through wire 19, circuit controller 17, Wire 16, one coil of relay 1, wire 21, slow acting relay 32 and wire 47 back to battery.

The circuit through home signal 3 runs from battery 20 to wire 48, circuit controller 31, Wire 49, signal 3, wires 50 and 47 back to battery.

The circuit through distant signal 4 runs from battery 20, wire 19, circuit controller 17, wire 25, circuit controller 24, wire 27, distant signal 4, wires 28 and 47 back to battery.

Many modifications and departures from the specific forms or embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings may, of course, be made without departing from the invention, the essentials of which are set forth in the claims appended hereto.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a railway signaling system the combination of a magnetic core, two separate coils wound on said core, a pivoted armature therefor, a local or signal operating circuit, a circuit closing point on said armature in said local circuit, a series of successive, insulated track sections; a series of circuits substantially coextensive with said track sections, respectively, aseries of automatic signals, one for each section; connections between one of said coils and one of said circuits, connections between the second of said coils and a separate circuit, means for varying the current in one circuit without reversing it and means for reversing the current in the other circuit.

2. In a railway signaling system the combination of a magnetic core, two separate coils wound on said core, a pivoted armature therefor, a local or signal operating circuit; a circuit closing point on said armature in said local circuit, a series of successive, insulated track sections, a series of circuits substantially coextensive with said track sections, respectively, a series of automatic signals, one for each section; connections between one of said coils and one of said circuits, connections between the second of said coils and a separate circuit, means for reversing the current in the track circuit, and means for breaking the current in the separate circuit.

3. In a railway signaling system the combination of a magnetic core, two separate coils wound on said core, a pivoted armature therefor, a local or signal operating circuit, a circuit closing point on said armature in said local circuit, a series of successive, insulated track sections, a series of circuits substantially coextensive with said track sections, respectively; a series of automatic signals, two for each section, connections between one of said coils and one of the track circuits, connections between the second of said coils and a signal operating local circuit, means for reversing the current in the track circuit and means for breaking the current in the signal operating circuit.

4. In a signaling-system the combination of two signals, a neutral relay, a circuit controller operated thereby for controlling one signal, a circuit therefor, a second. relay for controlling the second signal provided with two coils, a circuit adapted, when closed, to send a current through one of the said coils always in the same direction, a circuit connected with the other of said coils and connected in shunt with said neutral relay, a pole-changer therein, means for shifting it so as to send the current through the said circuit when it is closed either in one direction or the other, and a circuit controller for the second signal controlled'by said last mentioned relay adapted to be moved in one direction to operate the signal one way when the current is passing through both of said coils of the relay in the same direction and to be moved the other way to operate the signal in the reverse direction.

5. In a signaling system the combination of two signals, a neutral relay, two circuit controllers operated thereby, one for controlling one signal, and the other for controlling the second signal, a circuit for said neutral relay, a second relay for controlling the second signal provided with two coils, a

circuit adapted, when closed, to send a current through one of the said-coils always in the same direction, a circuit connected with the other coil and in shunt with the neutral relay, a pole changer therein, means for shifting-it so as to send the current through the said circuit when it is closed either in one direction or the other, and a circuit controller for the second signal controlled by said last mentioned relay adapted to be moved in one direction to operate the signal one way when the current is passing through 'both. coils of the relay in the same direction and to be moved the other way to operate the signal in the reverse direction, whereby the first signal will be controlled only by the neutral relay and the second signal will be controlled by both relays.

6. In a signaling system the combination of two signals, a neutral relay, two circuit controllers operated thereby, one for controlling one signal and the other for controlling the second signal, a track circuit for said neutral relay, a second relay for con trolling the second signal provided with two coils, a circuit adapted, when closed, to send a current through one of the saidcoils always inthe same direction, a track circuit connected with the other coil said latter coil being in shunt with said neutral relay, a polechanger in said circuit, means for shifting it,

controlled by asignal in advance, so as to send the current through the said circuit,-

erate the signal one way when the currents are passing through both coils of the relay in the same direction and to be moved the other way to operate the signal in the reverse direction, whereby the first signal will be controlled only by the neutral relay and its track section and the second signal will be controlled by both relays, and the-track section in advance.

7. In a signaling system the combination of two signals, a neutral relay connected with the track circuit and controlling two circuit controllers, a neutralizing relay provided with two coils, one coil connected withthe track circuit through one of the circuit controllers of the neutral relay and the other coil connected with a local signaling circuit provided with a battery, said circuit passing through the other of the circuit controllers by the neutral relay and also passing through one of the signals, a circuit controller controlled by the neutralizing relay and also controlling the other of the said signals and being in circuit with the first mentionedcircuit controller of the neutral relay, a polechanger in the track circuit, means for shifting it automatically controlled by a signal in advance, all so arranged-that the circuit from the local signaling battery will pass through one of the signals and two circuit controllers, one controlled by one relay and the othercontrolled by the otherrelay, and a branch circuit from the local-signaling battery will pass through the other signal, one

coil of the neutralizing relay and the other circuit controller of the neutral relay, whereby through the reversals ofcurrent in the track circuit and one coil of the neutralizing relay either one or bothsignals may be operated.

8. In a signaling system the combination of two signals, a railway track, a relay for controlling said signals provided with two coils, two circuits, one circuit including the rails of the track, one connected with each of said coils, means for varying the relative direction of the currents in the two circuits through the said. coils, whereby-the said currents may flow either in the same direction with each other or in opposite directions, two circuit controllers one of said circuit control lers being incircuit with one signal and controlling it, and the other of said circuit controllers being in circuit with the other signaland controlling it, one circuit controller being adapted to be moved in one direction to operate its signal one way when the currents through the coils flow in the same direction or in opposite directions, and the other of said circuit controllers being adapted to be moved in one direction to operate its signal one way when the currents are passing through both coils of the relay in the same direction and to be moved the other way to operate its signal in the reverse direction.

9. I11 a railway signaling system the combination of a series of insulated track sections, an automatic signal for each section, a series of successive circuits substantially coextensive with said track sections, local circuits for operating the signals and means for controlling said local circuits consisting of a magnetic core, two separate coils on said core, connections between one coil and one of said circuits, connections between the second coil and a separate circuit and means for causing the currents in said circuits to 006p erate to increase the magnetic field of said core or to oppose each other to decrease said field. I

10. In a railway signaling system the combination of a series of insulated track sections, an automatic signal for each section, a series of successive circuits substantially coextensive with said track sections, local circuits for operating the signals and means for controlling said local circuits consisting of a normally neutral magnetic core, a neutral armature therefor, two separate coils wound on said core, connections between one coil and one of said circuits, connections between the second coil and a separate circuit, and automatic means for causing the currents in said circuits to cooperate to increase the magnetic field of said core or to oppose each other to decrease said field.

11. In a railway signaling system the com bination of a series of track circuits, a series of signaling circuits, a series of automatic signals and means whereby said track circuits controlsaid signals consisting of a magnetic core, a pivoted neutral armature therefor, two independent coils on said core, connections between said coils and respectively separate circuits, and means for causing said coils to cooperate with each other to increase the magnetic field or to oppose each other to decrease said field.

12. In a railway signaling system the combination of a series of track circuits, a series of signaling circuits, a series of automatic signals and means whereby said track circuits control said signals consisting of two independent electromagnetic coils, a pivoted neutral armature therefor, connections between said coils and respectively separate circuits and means for causing said coils to cooperate with each other to increase the magnetic field or to oppose each other to decrease said field.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH A. WILSON.

Witnesses:

WM. M. TowNLEY, ERNEST H. FRANCIS. 

